Paul Schrage

A native of St. Louis, Paul Schrage is currently Staff Pianist and Coordinator of the Performing Arts Alliance at Foothill College. He has been on faculty at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Manchester Community College in Connecticut, and the International Summer Jazz Academy in Poland. He has taught piano, music theory, jazz band, and orchestra.
Considered “a world-class piano soloist”, Paul is an equally able classical and jazz pianist. He has made solo, orchestral, and jazz appearances throughout the United States, Poland, and in Rio de Janeiro. He was a finalist in the 2001 International Young Artists Piano Competition, and has performed with such jazz greats as Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Foster, Steve Smith, and Louis Bellson. He has also frequently collaborated with the classical violinist Mark Hochberg. Paul has an affinity for the music of Franz Liszt, and has performed all Liszt recitals. He also frequently performs half classical, half jazz recitals, which have been well received. In Chicago, he was the pianist for the jazz trio Fourth Stream, which blended jazz, classical, and rock styles. He has been heard on radio in the United States, and in a live national television broadcast in Poland. Paul released his debut CD in 2003. The CD consists of works by Mozart, Liszt, Copland, jazz standards, and original compositions. He is currently working on a CD project with the operatic tenor John Tsotsoros.

"Tonight, Tonight"
with Fourth Stream

Paul is also an ardent supporter of modern music. He is Vice President and Pianist- In-Residence of the Contemporary American Music Project, a non-profit dedicated to the scholarship and performance of modern American music, especially music that celebrates the revolutionary American spirit. He has given world premier performances of works by Ken Steen, Ingrid Stozel, Robert Carl, Reynold Simpson, and Bob Brookmeyer. Paul also played on the world premier recording of Richard White’s Sonata for Flute and Piano. In June 2005, Paul performed the world premier of Constellations by Maltese composer Ruben Zahra at INSAP V, the only other performers being the Kronos Quartet.

"Vallee de Obermann"
by Franz Liszt

Paul attended the Kansas City Conservatory, where under full scholarship he studied with Dr. Ruth Anne Rich. Paul then moved to Hartford, CT to study with the famous Brazilian pianist Luiz de Moura Castro at the Hartt School of Music, earning his master's degree. Doctorate studies at Catholic University of America were with Ivo Kaltchev. He also studied conducting with Gary Hill and Christopher Zimmerman. Paul has been awarded for his academic work by the state of Missouri, the Arcla Corp., and the Harry S. Truman Foundation. Paul is also a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow. His major jazz influences include Oscar Peterson, Red Garland, Bill Evans, John Hicks, and the Polish pianist Wlodek Powlik.

"Torna A Surriento"
with John Tsotsoros

Aside from his work in music, Paul is also an accomplished martial artist. He holds rank in four martial arts systems, and regularly teaches women’s self-defense classes.